Diversity Statement:

The Lawrence G. Foster Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America at Penn State places the highest value on fostering diversity in our organization and in our community.

Following the leadership of the Public Relations Society of America, the Penn State PRSSA Chapter is dedicated to improving the Penn State community by supporting open dialogue, inclusivity, and multiculturalism.

The Chapter welcomes members of all ages, ancestry, color, disability, national origin, race, religious creed, gender, and sexual orientation.

Enriching the Future of Our Profession

As future public relations professionals, we must understand how to communicate effectively with a diverse population. By fostering Chapters with diverse membership and leadership, we can build stronger relationships with the professional community and enrich the public relations industry as a whole.

The definition of diversity is broad. PRSSA embraces all individuals regardless of background, culture, education, major, age, disability, gender, and sexual orientation. PRSSA recognizes the importance of different experiences, perspectives, and voices in making a viable Society that aids the profession.

Initiatives like the Dr. F.H. Teahan Chapter Diversity Award encourage Chapters to seek diversity among its leaders and members.

The Diversity Initiative

In 2005, members of the PRSSA National Committee adopted the PRSSA Diversity Initiative The Initiative, which was updated in 2017, encourages Chapters to recruit and retain a diverse membership that is representative of the demographic composition of the Chapter’s college or university. The PRSSA Diversity Toolkit (PDF) provides Chapters with guidelines for supporting diversity on their campuses. The Diversity in Public Relations (PowerPoint) provides Chapters with information on the importance of diversity not just in universities but in the public relations profession.